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Modernisation

Dependency Theory and Colonial Heritage. Many have tried to draw upon the legacy of the colonial system to explain the reasons for underdevelopment in many areas of the world. Most areas that suffer from poverty today are former colonies the developed nations, for the most part, are former metropoles. The colonizers exploited their underlings in colonies, turning them into suppliers of cheap raw materials and restricting the infrastructure construction, leaving former colonies with only basic facilities. In many cases, when the colonizers departed, the nations were left with artificial boundaries that separated them from each other without regard for their historical development. This fuelled subsequent separatism and military conflicts, hampering economic progress. Thus, if one looks at straight-line boundaries in Africa which we are now learning in DS 202, it becomes obvious that those were artificially created. The colonizers, in particular the British Empire, were suppressing the industrial development in their colonies because they viewed them as sources of cheap imports and at the same time large markets for their industrial goods. An example of north-eastern Brazil that often surfaces in literature on underdevelopment, (Taylor 2001) claims that north eastern Brazil in the 19th century would have appeared to be an ideal place for a textile industry with its high quality cotton and existing demand for sugar bags cloth and slave clothing. However, to develop the textile industry, it would take years during which the industry should have been shielded from foreign competition with import tariffs and quotas. This was surely not something Britain would allow in its colony. As a result, the fledgling Brazilian textile enterprises proved unable to withstand the competition with Britain's textile industry. Britain, like almost any metropole, was interested in selling to the colony, not developing industry inside it. As of 1822, when Brazil received independence, it was a larger export market for Britain than all the rest of Latin America combined (Taylor, 2001). Naturally, even as Brazil proclaimed independence, Britain did not want to lose this lucrative market and demanded a trade treaty with Britain which prohibited import substitution tariffs (Taylor, 2001). Brazil was forced into this treaty by its political weakness. In this way, former metropolitan powers keep control of their former colonies to varying extents, blocking their effective development. In newly independent nations of Latin America, for instance, the warfare that often preceded proclamation of independence devastated regional and national economies (Kinsbruner 1994 pg 126). Although this perspective is not universally recognised, the IMF and the World Bank for imposing policies said to aggravate third world countries. The stated goals of both institutions are certainly to spearhead economic growth in nations they service with their financial programs. Critics , however , point out that loans from the World Bank and the IMF often come with conditions that block the road to sustainable development and make poverty even worse . The Structural Adjustment Policies (SAPs) imposed by the IMF as a prerequisite for qualifying for its loans often aggravate the deplorable condition of the third world nation. Thus, SAPs often call for reduction in government expenditures for health, education and other government services for the sake of debt repayment. In this way, third world nations are dragged into the quagmire of debt repayment, as their interest provides income for Wall Street banks and other financial institutions. IMF policies urge third world countries to increase their exports of raw materials and agricultural products in to cope with debt - an immediate concern. This, however, reduces the amount of food available to the poor inside the country and can lead to starvation second, does not create conditions for building processing industries that will...

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Modernization
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Modernization or modernisation refers to a model of an evolutionary transition from a 'pre-modern' or 'traditional' to a 'modern' society.[citation needed] The teleology of modernization is described in social evolutionism theories, existing as a template that has been generally followed by societies that have achieved modernity.[1][2][citation needed]
Historians link modernization to the processes of urbanization and industrialisation, as well as to the spread of education. As Kendall (2007) notes, "Urbanization accompanied modernization and the rapid process of industrialization."[3] In sociological critical theory, modernization is linked to an overarching process of rationalisation. When modernization increases within a society, the individual becomes that much more important, eventually replacing the family or community as the fundamental unit of society.[4][citation needed]
Modernization theory and history have been explicitly used as guides for countries eager to develop rapidly, such as China. Indeed, modernization has been proposed as the most useful framework for World history in China, because as one of the developing countries that started late, "China's modernization has to be based on the experiences and lessons of other countries."[5]
Instead of being dominated by tradition, societies undergoing the process of modernization typically arrive at governance dictated by abstract...

...Discuss the assertion that modernisation theory is the panacea to third world problems.
This essay will seek to examine the contention that, the theory of Modernisation is the solution to the problems being faced in third world countries. The writer will argue that the theory has to a lesser extend been able to bring solutions to problems faced by third world countries, bringing to fore how some of its prescriptions has in fact brought negative growth to third world economies. The dependency theory, which amongst other assertions high lights the exploitative relationship that exist between first and third world countries will be used to critique modernisation.
However, the essay will also bring to light how modernisation theory has been credited to the Asian miracle not withstanding how some of the recommendations have assisted third world countries in a number of ways including; controlling the third world s’ population by proving contraceptive technology and Increasing food production by introducing "high-tech" farming methods, Introducing industrial technology to increase productivity and Instituting programs of foreign aid, particularly in the form of investment capital bringing a semblance of hope to third world nations in light of the insurmountable problems these nations face.
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...The aim of this essay is to compare and contrast the modernization and dependency theories. It then attempts to determine which theory explains what is going wrong in developing countries. The essay begins by defining theory. Secondly, it defines the modernization and dependency theories and their examples that attempt to offer an explanation on what is going wrong in developing countries. A conclusion is finally drawn to summarize the comparisons and contrast between the two theories.
Theory refers to a set of logical propositions that explain a given phenomenon. It is a set of organized ideas that offer logical explanations of the interrelationships among different variables, (Oxford dictionary, 2000). Development theories are, therefore, a set of logical propositions that explain how development occurred in history and how it should occur. Development theories particularly aim to reduce and eliminate oppression and poverty for example, in order to improve human conditions.
Modernization is a process of change towards higher levels of development or civilization towards those of the western and European nations or the north countries. Modernism entails a style and movement in art, architecture and literature popular in the mid 20th century in which modern ideas, methods and materials were used rather than traditional ones, (Ibid). It involves the association of economic growth and development with progress and civilization. Growth is perceived to be a natural...

... This essay is an attempt to compare the modernization and radical approaches to development and deciding which approach of the two offers a plausible explanation to what is prevailing in LDCs like Zambia. It will start by defining the major concepts which are development, modernization and radical approach, and then it shall proceed to make a full analysis of the two approaches respectively. The advantages and criticism will be given specifically for the two approaches, and it shall evaluate which one is better helping us in understanding the problems faced in less developed countries. Finally a conclusion will be drawn in summation of the topic.
Development is perceived to be a multidimensional process involving major changes in social structures, popular attitudes and national institutions, as well as acceleration of economic growth, reduction in inequality and eradication of poverty, (Todaro 2008). Madden (1967:34) describes the term rural development as overall development of rural areas to improve the quality of life of rural people while Berry (1979) referred it to the establishment of appropriate decentralized structures for the effective participation of the masses of the rural population in initiating, implementing and sustaining developmental programmes. Agriculture is simply the occupation, business, or science of cultivating the land, producing crops, and raising...

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Modernisation refers to a model of a progressive transition from a 'pre-modern' or 'traditional' to a 'modern' society. Modernization theory is used to explain the process of modernization that a nation goes through as it transitions from a traditional society to a modern one.
The theory looks at the internal factors of a country while assuming that, with assistance, "traditional" countries can be brought to development in the same manner more developed countries have. Modernisation theory also attempts to identify the social variables that contribute to social progress and development of societies, and seeks to explain the process of social evolution.
Modernisation theory however, is subject to criticism originating among socialist and free-market ideologies, world-systems theorists, globalization theorists and dependency theorists among others.
Modernization, industrialization, and development are often used interchangeably but in fact refer to distinguishable phenomena. Industrialization is a narrower term than modernization, while development is more general. Industrialization involves the use of inanimate sources of power to mechanize production, and it involves increases in manufacturing, wage labor, income levels, and occupational diversification.
There are many different versions of modernization theory. Here we will briefly discuss the opposing views of the Marxist and capitalist versions, a Western version, and a...

...﻿MODERNISATION AND EMOTIONAL MATURITY
In modern society, education alone can provide the most dependable and the most effective apparatus for accelerating growth and development in all spheres of human austerity. Now we live in the technological era. The technology of 21st Century has revolutionised and enhanced our way of life. The public expects technology to have a similar revolutionary effect on education. Energy technologies and resulting globalisation also provide unlimited possibilities for exciting new discoveries and developments such as new forms of energy, medical advances restoration of environmentally ravaged areas, communication and exploration into space and into the depth of the oceans.
From the beginning of life till now life has been changing. Change is the law of nature, and changes in Society are always taking place. At times these changes are slow. Sometime they are so slow that people do not even perceive them. However, there are times when they are also rapid and drastic. All spheres of living things are changing. The word modernization is derived from Latin word ‘moud’ means modern. Modernization refers to a model of a progressive transition from a 'pre-modern' or 'traditional' to a 'modern' society. Modernization as a form of cultural response attributes which are basically universalistic and evolutionary. Modernization is generally regarded as a process of change-change of traditional Society into a Society based on Science and...